Pam Padgett ... teacher
We're told that God has a time and purpose for everything ...
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time
to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a
time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which
is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to
break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time
to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast
away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to
embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get,
and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A
time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a
time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of
war, and a time of peace.
While reading this, I thought of how blessed we are to have been
given the Holy Spirit leading us and guiding us in the ways and
purposes of God. Of our own selves, we don't know the purpose God
has in a given matter ... is this a time to break down, or a time to build up? Is this
a time to get, or a time to lose? Those who don't have or trust in
the Holy Spirit try to figure out for themselves what is the best
thing to do, speculating what may happen in the future, but not
knowing. This is a very heavy burden and often the decisions made lead to unnecessary hardships.
But when we are led by the Holy Spirit, we are shown the will of God
for us in the matter. Paul told us that the Spirit searches the
things of God and reveals them to us ...
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what
man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is
in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit
of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things
that are freely given to us of God.
As I thought about this I recalled that several months ago, the following scripture was strongly brought
to my attention, I believe by the Holy Spirit ... Arise ye, and depart; for this is not
your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even
with a sore destruction. (Micah 2:10) I thought God might be showing me to retire. In my wisdom, it seemed early to retire and that I could continue working and saving money for retirement at some time in the future. But when I prayed and asked God
to confirm this direction, I believe He did, so I retired. Since retiring I find that all of my needs are
easily being met and I am continually grateful to
God that I am not working at the job I once had. I believe it was God's
time for me to retire.
Comments by Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
I thought this writing by Pam was very interesting. We know the way we are to go in the issues of this present life because the Spirit of God shows us the way God wants us to go.
But though we know the "way", we might not know the purpose of God.
In other words, I am shown what to do but I might not know exactly why I am to do it. Very often this is the case with me. I believe I have heard "what to do" so I do it. This is following God by HIS Spirit by faith.